‘EPIC – FIRST SEMESTER’ will win hearts just like ‘90s’: Director Aditya Hasan

Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya are coming together for the youthful entertainer ‘EPIC – FIRST SEMESTER’. Young filmmaker Aditya Hasan, who impressed Telugu audiences with his web series ‘90s’, is making his silver-screen directorial debut with this film.

Presented by Srikara Studios and produced by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya under Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas, ‘EPIC – FIRST SEMESTER’ is set to hit theatres on September 11.

Speaking about his journey, Aditya said, “I am from Wanaparthy and studied there until my 10th standard. My father retired as a school teacher, while my mother is a homemaker. My brother and sister-in-law work in the banking sector. After 10th, I developed a strong interest in cinema.”

Aditya did not work as an assistant director before becoming a filmmaker. “I completed my degree in Hyderabad and later went to the UK for my Master’s. I had already made a few short films. After returning from the UK, I started trying to make films. After about six months, I made a film titled ‘Teacher’ with Colors Swathi. It was produced by Naveen Medaram and Abhishek Nama, but unfortunately, the film was stalled due to certain reasons,” he said.

He later made ‘90s’, drawing from his father’s experiences. “I wrote the story of ‘90s’ based on my father’s real-life experiences. Initially, an OTT platform liked the story and came forward to produce it, but they backed out after six months. ETV Win’s Sai garu and Nithin garu already knew about the story and later called me. That’s how ‘90s’ eventually came to life.”

Aditya also revealed that his name was inspired by his admiration for Kamal Haasan. “My original name is Aditya. I am a huge fan of Kamal Haasan garu. Out of that admiration, I changed my name to Aditya Hasan.”

While ‘EPIC’ has some real-life inspiration, Aditya clarified that it is not his biopic. “There is definitely inspiration from real-life incidents, but my life isn’t that beautiful,” he said with a laugh. “We have taken some cinematic liberties.”

Talking about the film, he said, “‘EPIC’ will connect with everyone. The story is inspired by some beautiful incidents from real life. ‘EPIC’ is actually a continuation of the world created in ‘90s’. It explores a phase in the younger brother’s life from that story.”

The director also revealed that the story will continue with ‘EPIC – FINAL SEMESTER’. “The first part has a different kind of ending. I didn’t write the climax from the perspective of the audience or the director. I wrote the ending that I felt the story itself required,” he said.

Speaking about Anand and Vaishnavi, Aditya admitted that he initially felt some pressure because of their ‘Baby’ combination. “But ‘EPIC’ gives audiences a completely different experience and breaks away from the expectations surrounding that combination,” he said.